

Let's face it. This coronavirus crisis has lasted longer than most of us would have ever anticipated. I'll admit that I thought this was going to be a one- or two-week situation, and then we would go back to "normal". But fast forward, here we are.
Businesses have shut down for several weeks, events have been cancelled indefinitely, and stay-at-home orders are in place all across the country. As a result, many of you may have been laid off or furloughed and are trying to think about what to do next. I've got you covered! Below I share answers some of the questions you may be asking right now, so keep reading!
1.Should I file for unemployment benefits?
Shutterstock
Absolutely! File for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. You are eligible for unemployment if you are out of work through no fault of your own, i.e. you have been laid off, furloughed, or your company has closed due to the coronavirus impact. However, each state has its own eligibility requirements and fine print, so you'll want to do your due diligence before filing. CareerOneStop, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, has created a site to make the research and filing for unemployment benefits a lot easier: Find Unemployment Benefits.
Good news is, with the passing of the federal CARES Act (the law from Congress that is making those $1,200 stimulus checks possible), you can get additional and/or extended benefits on top of your state's unemployment program. The CARES Act allows you to get an additional $600 per week for a limited time, and a 13-week extension on unemployment benefits beyond your state's maximum.
And if you didn't have a job with traditional unemployment (think independent contractors and gig workers), you are now eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
2.Should I let my “bill” companies or landlord know that I’ve lost my job and need assistance?
This is not a time to be prideful or bashful. If you need assistance or a grace period with paying your bills or rent, ask for it. Many utility and credit card companies are offering temporary hardship programs, payment plans with longer end dates, or simply delaying payments, so take advantage and get the reprieve that you need. You may simply need to fill out an application to do so. If you can call the customer service lines, that can prove helpful as you have the opportunity to speak with someone directly vs. just filing the application blindly.
3.I don't have a job or a lot of money saved up. How do I handle my finances right now? What should I do with my stimulus check?
Shutterstock
First things first, cut back on any unnecessary spending. Luckily, we've been in the house a while, so hopefully you've been able to save on gas, food, and personal care (my nails are beyond struggle mode right now). But now would be a good time to trim the fat in your budget wherever you can. Subscriptions you don't need, the premium TV package, that vacation you were planning to go on. Limit your discretionary spending and focus only on the critical needs.
If you have a hobby or side hustle that you can monetize while you're back on the job search, kick it into high gear. Platforms like Wix, Weebly, WordPress, and Google offer free websites to get you up and running. The extra income will help provide a cushion and bridge the gap until you're able to secure your next full-time job opportunity.
If you get a stimulus check, tax refund, or other windfall of cash, now is NOT the time to pay down debt. I know that goes against conventional wisdom, but hear me out. As previously mentioned, you may be able to get a break on some of your obligations if you contact your lenders and explain your current employment situation. Wouldn't it be a waste for you to pay off your credit cards right now, only to run the balances back up due to lack of income? Save those extra dollars you receive as you may need them to live on as it may take time to find a job.
4.Julia, companies are FIRING, not hiring. How do I even find a job right now? How do I approach my job search at a time like this?
Not ALL companies are downsizing or laying off workers during this crisis. In my last article, "How To Thrive As A Job-Seeker In Today's Job Market", I shared a list of industries that are hiring during this crisis including remote communications and online learning. So you CAN get back into the workforce! But how do you get started?
First, take a minute to determine if you are in urgent need to just get a job (ANY JOB, ANYWHERE) or if you can be more patient in your search to find the right opportunity. If you're in urgent need, research the companies that are hiring and what roles are available. Next, take an inventory of your most marketable skills and expertise. Do you have extensive technical/software knowledge? Are you a customer service boss? Whatever your skills may be, make note and then compare them to the open positions to see where you may find a match.
If you haven't dusted off your resume or LinkedIn profile in a while, use this extra time to spruce them up so you can submit a competitive job application. But you know that you can't just apply. Networking should and will be your best friend right now. With everyone at home and online, you can start connecting with recruiters, hiring managers, decision-makers, and current employees and begin conversations. Set up informal Zoom meetings or phone calls. Start working the virtual "room" and start being seen.
For more information about Julia Rock, check out Rock Career Development or follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Featured image by Shutterstock
- What to Do When You Get Laid Off: 7 Crucial Steps | Career Sidekick ›
- What to Do After You Get Laid-Off or Fired ›
- Laid Off? What To Do in That First Week | by Larry Cornett, Ph.D ... ›
- What to Do if You're Laid Off | DaveRamsey.com ›
- What you should do as soon as you get laid off - Business Insider ›
- 7 Questions to Raise Immediately After You're Laid Off ›
- 9 Things You Need to Do When You Get Laid Off ›
- 2 things every business must consider before laying off employees ... ›
- Coronavirus economy: Democrats' plan to keep laid-off workers ... ›
- Millions of Americans Have Been Laid Off Amid the Coronavirus ... ›
- What you can do if you're laid off or furloughed during the ... ›
- List of major company layoffs due to the coronavirus - Business Insider ›
- Laid Off Due to Coronavirus? Take These 6 Steps - NerdWallet ›
- Laid Off Due to Coronavirus? What to Do Now - The Muse ›
Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
I Tried It: 3 Low-Maintenance Wigs That Will Elevate Your Look This Season
There's nothing like the feeling you get when your hair is done. It can instantly boost your confidence and put you in a great mood. I've never been a stranger to hair trends and I often experiment with the latest braided styles and colors.
But there are moments when I just don't feel like doing my hair. I'm natural and a lot of times I will braid or twist my hair up and cover it with a scarf or turban. However, when I crave a different look without the hassle of styling, I reach for a wig.
I've always had a love-hate relationship with wigs. Sometimes, I struggle to get them to lay flat and don't get me started with the bonding glue process. So when it comes to wearing wigs, I like to keep it nice and breezy around this b--- (word to Katt Williams), especially in the summertime.
That's why I jumped at the chance to try these three versatile wigs from Luvme Hair. Each one offers a unique look and is surprisingly low maintenance, which aligns perfectly with my philosophy that wearing wigs should make life easier. Let’s dive into the three styles below.
Headband Wig
Courtesy
This was the first wig I tried on, and I instantly fell in love with it. So much so that it took me weeks to even consider trying the other two. I’m partial to colored hair, especially blonds, browns, and reds, so I was skeptical about the jet black hair. However, I think the color, combined with the curl pattern, worked surprisingly well for me.
One of the things I really liked about this wig was that I didn’t have to braid my hair down first. I could simply throw it over a low ponytail, which is the epitome of a low-maintenance style. The headband has combs inside and velcro on the ends, ensuring a secure fit.
Half Wig
Courtesy
I had never worn a half wig before, so I faced some challenges. I cornrowed the bottom half of my hair where the wig would sit, but I believe this made it more difficult to use the combs. It might just be me though. I straightened the top part of my hair to blend it with the wig, which looked cute for about five minutes.
Firstly, I have a brown/blonde color mix on the ends of my hair, and the half wig is black. So, I had to hide some of the color (I didn’t have time to dye the wig). Secondly, straightening my hair myself is always a hassle because it never lasts long. Add to that the summer humidity, and you get a hot mess. Despite all this, I managed to get some cute pictures before things got out of control, and that’s all that matters, right?
Would I consider this a low-maintenance hair style? Yes and no. I think it’s unrealistic for me during the summer, especially since I enjoy summer activities. However, when the weather cools down, I’ll definitely rock it, dyed, of course.
Bob
Courtesy
Now, this is the wig I was nervous about. I never had a bob and I didn't think I would like it. But once I put bobiana on, my mind instantly changed. I finally understood why the gworls rave about the bob so much. It was giving boss. It was giving grown woman. It was giving the bob means business. Iykyk. It was the ultimate statement.
I will say when I first put it on, one side of my wig just would not lay flat. It took some trial and error, but I finally managed to get it to look good. With the bob, I highly recommend braiding your hair down first as small as you can so it can lay as flat as possible. I really liked the ash blonde color, which is perfect for summer. The length also makes it a great low-maintenance style for the season, so you don't have to worry about the hair making your neck sweaty.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image courtesy